Hopefuls hesistant to comment on union news

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Steve MacFarlane, SUN MEDIA

Aug 28, 2009

, Last Updated: 2:44 PM ET

CALGARY -- Talk of a possible shake-up atop the NHL Players' Association made it to Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp yesterday.

But players weren't willing or informed enough to comment on a TSN report NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly could face a vote on his future when the 30-member executive committee gets together Sunday and Monday in Chicago for a planned meeting.

"I don't know much about it, so I'm not really going to comment on it," said veteran Ryan Smyth after the Red-White scrimmage.

"I need to know some of the logistics."

San Jose defenceman Dan Boyle was also hesitant to comment, although he did admit it's frustrating having to hear about another internal struggle inside the NHLPA with Kelly being on the job less than two years since replacing Ted Saskin, who was let go in October of 2007 after being accused of reading players' e-mails.

"We just kind of went through it," Boyle said.

"I heard a couple guys talking. I'm honestly not that informed about it I don't know enough. It's one of those things when we all get back in San Jose I've got to learn what's going on."

It might be too late if Kelly does face a vote in Chicago.

According to the TSN report, NHLPA interim ombudsman Buzz Hargrove is expected to make a presentation about concerns within the association over Kelly's leadership.

Under the NHLPA constitution, the committee could oust Kelly without consent from the full membership of NHL players.